The new building, which looks like a big red barn, is located on Route 100. It's a sizeable addition to what co-owner Holly Alves called Waterbury Center's "agritourism corridor," near the Ben & Jerry's factory and the Cold Hollow Cider mill. The new facility has four large storage silos that will hold green beans, allowing the company to purchase lots of coffee more "efficiently and effectively," she noted. Previously, Vermont Artisan had to find storage off-site.

Once the roasters — both human and mechanical — have settled into the facility, the company will encourage visitors to drop by for a "mini self-guided tour," Alves added. Passersby will also be welcome to sip cappuccino or espresso. A coffee bar in the new building will open once the dust from the move has settled, most likely in early May. "We want to get our staff in place and our drinks perfected [first]," said Alves. "Our other businesses can't really stop, so we're concentrating on getting everything [settled] and getting equipment running."